Certifications are a great way to show the IT industry employers, peers and recruiters that you are up to date and knowledgeable on the given topic and, in some cases, that can equate directly to more money in your pocket. But which certifications offer the most potential earnings and will be in demand over the coming years?

The Foote Research Group just released its quarterly 2012 IT Skills Demand and Pay Trends Report and its CEO David Foote spoke with CIO.com about how you can use certifications to get employers to show you the money.

More and more companies are holding out for the IT pro who has the perfect skillset, which makes the certifications listed here among the most profitable due to industry demand. People with these certifications are getting paid a premium over what others in the same role without the certification are receiving. Premium skills pay is what Foote calls, "An additional monetary compensation or skills premium tied specifically to a certification [or skill]." Premium skills pay for the 23 certifications listed below is based upon a percentage of base salary. We've separated the list into three tiers from the lowest to highest. Let's take a look.

8-13 Percent Premium Added to Your Base Pay

The certifications in this first category come in with a premium skills pay of 8-13 percent of base salary. Many of these certifications fall into the intermediate range and are accessible to the average IT person.

Prerequisite —This certification is now called HP/Master Accredited Solutions Expert or MASE. There are no formal prerequisites for this certification.

10-15 Percent Premium Added to Your Base Pay

People with certifications in this next bracket earned an impressive premium skills pay of 10-15 percent.

Occupying eight out of these 12 slots in this category are security certifications. With the myriad of malicious threats facing companies, it's no surprise that IT security is an area that is expected to have tremendous growth.

PrerequisiteThere are work experience requirements for this certification. Five years of verified information security experience, with at least three of those in Information Security management, in no less than 3 of ISACAs job practice areas.

12-16 Percent Premium Added to Your Base Pay

This final category highlights architecture and project management certifications, clocking in with a premium skills pay of 12-16 percent.

With the furious pace that the IT industry moves at, it's no wonder these certifications are currently demanding the highest pay, according to Foote's research. These skills will be needed by companies everywhere for a long time.

IT Certifications Pay Off

Certifications are one facet of a well-rounded skillset but when it comes to compensation, it's an important one. This list represents the IT certifications that are making companies put their money where there mouth is. To be an IT professional with longevity, you need education, hands-on experience and the ability to evolve with the technology and while these certifications alone won't necessarily get you hired, they should ensure that if you are hired you get paid what your worth.

What skills do you think are most in demand? As always we welcome your feedback.